SEPTEMBER 9, Ephesians 2:8-9

Rhambau, an elderly pearl diver in India, pointed to a man on the street. “Look, Mr. Grayson. That pilgrim goes to Calcutta. He walks barefoot and picks the sharpest stones to step on. Sometimes he kneels down and kisses the road! That is good!” Rhambau sighed. “I’m old and must prepare for the life to come,” he said. “I must begin my pilgrimage to make sure of my place in heaven. I shall go to Calcutta on my knees. The gods will reward me. The suffering will be sweet, for it shall purchase heaven for me.”

“Oh, Rhambau, a trip such as that would be much too hard for you please don’t do that!” pleaded Mr. Grayson, who had come to India as a missionary many years before. “Jesus died to save you from your sins and to provide for you a place in heaven,” continued Mr. Grayson. “You must simply believe and accept His free gift of salvation.”

“No! No, that is too easy,” insisted Rhambau. “One must work for a place in heaven!” Then he held out a beautiful pearl and spoke with a sob in his voice. “Before I go, I give this to you. My son was a pearl diver, and he found this pearl, but he stayed under the water too long! He died soon after. I give it to you, my best friend.”

“I’m so sorry about your son!” exclaimed Mr. Grayson. “But...” He hesitated. “That’s a wonderful pearl,” he added. “I will buy it from you.” Rhambau shook his head. “No one has enough money to pay what this pearl is worth to me,” he answered sadly. “You may have it only as a gift.”

“Oh, but that is too easy!” exclaimed Mr. Grayson. “I must pay for it or work for it.” Rhambau spoke quickly. “No! No! I would never sell this pearl-its value is in the life blood of my only son.” He held out the pearl. “Just accept it as a token of the love I bear for you.”

“Rhambau,” said Mr. Grayson gently, “to make it possible for you to enter heaven, it cost God the life blood of His only Son. In a million years or in hundreds of pilgrimages you will never earn entrance to heaven! It is so priceless that no one can pay for it. God offers you salvation as a free gift. Accept it as a token of God’s love for you, a sinner.” Rhambau gasped. “I see!” he exclaimed. “This pearl is priceless there is nothing you can do to earn it. And you said, heaven is like that too. Tell me about it once again!”

Thought: Have I received the priceless pearl of salvation?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that the only way to heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.